Dedra A. Stafford

Dedra Stafford is an educational consultant, speaker, trainer, and author with more than 20 years of experience in education as a classroom teacher, professional development specialist, and school board member. She has worked with educators in over 40 U.S. states and in three international schools, frequently supporting high‑risk schools through embedded professional development that includes PLC training, model teaching, co‑teaching, and classroom observations.

Stafford is the co‑author of four educational books, including Teaching Kids to Thrive: Essential Skills for Success (with Debbie Silver) and Summarization in Any Subject: 60 Innovative, Tech‑Infused Strategies for Deeper Student Learning (with Rick Wormeli). Her work focuses on social and emotional learning, growth mindset, rigorous instructional strategies, differentiated instruction, technology integration, and formative assessment, and she is known among educators as the “Queen of Practical” for her emphasis on classroom-ready strategies that enhance student achievement.